Wall mounted washing machine and water supply valve assembly

ABSTRACT

A wall mounted washing machine and a water supply valve assembly thereof are provided to reduce the manufacturing cost and to reduce expenses required in assembling the machine. The wall mounted washing machine includes a rear panel mounted on a wall; a tub supported on the rear panel, the tub operable to be filled with wash water; a front panel having an opening formed therein and installed in the tub; a drum rotatably installed in the tub; a cover installed on the front panel to cover the front panel; a door rotatably coupled to the cover to open or close a laundry inlet of the cover; a cabinet coupled between the rear panel and the cover; and a water supply valve assembly installed on the front panel with respect to an inner lower space of the cabinet.

RELATED CASE

This patent application claims benefit to Korean Patent Application No.10-2017-0074619 filed Jun. 14, 2017, with inventor Jong Jin Lee, andwhose specification is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a wall mounted washing machine and awater supply valve assembly thereof.

BACKGROUND

A washing machine is device for separating contaminants from laundryusing wash water and detergents, wherein the contaminants may beseparated from the washed fabric by the chemical action of the detergentdissolved in the wash water and the mechanical action of the wash waterand an inner basket. Washing machines may be categorized into severaltypes, including, a top loading type washing machine, a front loadingtype washing machine, and a combined type washing machine combining thetop loading type and the front loading type, depending on the way thelaundry is loaded.

In recent years, wall mounted washing machines have been introduced,which may be installed in narrow spaces such as bathrooms and toilets,for instance. In general, the wall mounted washing machines employ thefront loading type for miniaturization.

For example, a wall mounted washing machine may include a cabinet thatforms an exterior, a tub provided in the cabinet filled with wash water,a drum rotatably installed in the tub and accommodating the laundry, adrive unit providing power to the drum, a water supply unit forsupplying the wash water to the tub, and a drain unit for dischargingthe wash water from the tub to the outside of the cabinet.

In the prior art, the wall-mounted washing machine has a plurality ofpipe lines or electromagnetic valves installed for the respective pipelines for supplying detergents or conditioners to the inside of the tubat predetermined times.

For example, a wall-mounted washing machine of the prior art is furtherprovided with pipe lines for supplying detergent liquid made by mixingdetergents into water inside of the tub, and pipe lines for supplying aconditioner liquid made by mixing conditioners with water inside of thetub.

However, the wall-mounted washing machine of the prior art has adisadvantage in that the plurality of pipe lines are installedseparately, and therefore, the number of potential leakage points isrelatively large.

In addition, in the washing machine of the prior art, when the innervolume of the casing is very narrow, as compared with that of thewashing machine of the top loading type, the additional installation ofthe components constituting the pipe lines is very difficult regardingthe tube and fitting arrangements.

In addition, in the wall-mounted washing machine of the prior art, sincean end of the water supply hose corresponding to a pipe line is directlycoupled to the hole of the installation structure, the insertion depthto the end of the water supply hose is not constant, and the couplingbetween the end of the water supply hose and the hole of theinstallation structure may become loose, which may lead to unwantedproduct failures.

SUMMARY

In order to solve the above disadvantages, embodiments of the presentdisclosure provides a wall mounted washing machine and a water supplyvalve assembly thereof, wherein a plurality of water supply pipes andcontrol valves may be readily installed, and the water supply pipes maybe expanded and installed according to additional functions of thewashing machine, thereby greatly increasing the quality of the washingmachine, reducing the manufacturing cost and solving the issue ofincreased costs required for the assembling process.

An embodiment of the present invention includes a wall mounted washingmachine, the washing machine comprising: a rear panel operable to bemounted on a vertical surface; a tub supported on the rear panel,wherein the tub is operable to be filled with wash water; a front panelhaving an opening formed therein and disposed in the tub; a drumrotatably installed in the tub; a cover disposed on the front panel andoperable to protect a front surface of the front panel; a door coupledto the cover and operable to open and close a laundry inlet of thecover; and a water supply valve assembly coupled to the front panel, thewater supply valve assembly comprising a three-way valve in which fluidis discharged through a three-way water outlet.

An embodiment includes the above and wherein the front panel comprisesan extension integrally formed on a lower side of the front panel forinstalling the water supply valve assembly. Embodiments include theabove and wherein the water supply valve assembly is disposed along anupward slanting direction from the extension with respect to ahorizontal direction of the front surface of the front panel.Embodiments include the above and wherein the extension comprises: abase plate extending from a side surface of the front panel; a base wallextending along an outer periphery of the base plate; and platereinforcing ribs connecting to the base wall and protruding from thebase plate.

Embodiments include the above and wherein the extension furthercomprises a plurality of supports protruding from the extension withrespect to the base plate, the base wall and the plate reinforcement riband wherein the extension comprises a bolt hole formed at an end of eachof the plurality of supports. Embodiments include the above and whereinthe water supply valve assembly is supported on the plurality ofsupports and is spaced apart from the extension.

An embodiment includes a wall mounted washing machine comprising: a rearpanel operable to be mounted on a wall; a tub supported on the rearpanel, the tub operable to be filled with wash water; a front panelhaving an opening formed therein and disposed in the tub; a drumrotatably installed in the tub; a cover disposed on the front panel andoperable to protect a front surface of the front panel; a door rotatablycoupled to the cover and operable to open and close a laundry inlet ofthe cover; and a water supply valve assembly installed on an extensionintegrally formed on a lower side of the front panel, the water supplyvalve assembly comprising a three-way valve for selectively supplyingand blocking a flow of wash water.

Embodiments include the above and wherein the water supply valveassembly comprises: a valve body comprising a plurality of fluid pathsto control a supply of water and a plurality of valve housings connectedthrough the plurality of fluid paths; a plurality of control valves,each control valve comprising a valve unit inserted into an open regionof each of the plurality of valve housings, a coil unit for operatingthe valve unit, and a terminal unit for applying a power signal to thecoil unit; and a plurality of brackets, wherein each bracket is coupledto a wall of a respective valve housing corresponding to an outerperiphery of an open area to close the open area of the respective valvehousing, and wherein the control valve is mounted on the bracket.

Embodiments include the above and wherein the extension comprises aplurality of supports protruding from the extension toward the watersupply valve assembly; and a plurality of supporting legs protrudingfrom an outer surface of the valve body of the water supply valveassembly to cover an upper end of a support.

An embodiment also includes a water supply valve assembly for use in awall mounted washing machine comprising a tub for storing washing water,and a front panel provided on the tub and having a detergent containerreceiving unit, wherein the water supply valve assembly is mounted on alower side of the front panel and comprising a three-way valve forselectively supplying and blocking a flow of washing water. Embodimentsinclude the above and wherein the front panel comprises an extensionintegrally formed on a lower side of the front panel for installing thewater supply valve assembly and wherein the water supply valve assemblycomprises: a valve body installed in the extension and having aplurality of fluid paths and a plurality of valve housings; controlvalves, each control valve being installed in each of the plurality ofvalve housings; and a plurality of brackets, each bracket being coupledto a wall of each of the plurality of valve housings.

Embodiments include the above and wherein the plurality of valvehousings of the valve body are disposed along a vertical direction or ahorizontal direction with respect to a front surface of the valve bodyand wherein the control valves comprise: a first control valve forselectively supplying and blocking flow of water to the detergent inputspace of the detergent container; a second control valve for selectivelysupplying and blocking flow of water to a conditioner input space of thedetergent container; and a third control valve for selectively supplyingand blocking flow of water to/from a water jet nozzle installed at anopening of the front panel, or selectively supplying and blocking flowof water to a drying duct of a drying unit.

Embodiments include the above and wherein the valve body of the watersupply valve assembly comprises: a first fluid path coupled to a firstwater outlet of the valve body for water flow to be supplied to thedetergent input space of the detergent container; a second fluid pathcoupled to a second water outlet on one side of the valve body waterflow to be supplied to the conditioner input space of the detergentcontainer; and a third fluid path coupled to a third water outlet ofanother side of the valve body. Embodiments include the above andwherein the valve body of the water supply valve assembly comprises: afirst valve housing coupled to the first fluid path and having the firstcontrol valve installed therein; a second valve housing coupled to thesecond fluid path and having the second control valve installed therein;and a third valve housing coupled to the third fluid path and having thethird control valve installed therein. Embodiments include the above andwherein the valve body of the water supply valve assembly comprises: afourth fluid path coupled between the first valve housing and the secondvalve housing along an extension direction of the first fluid path; afifth fluid path coupled between the second valve housing and the thirdvalve housing along an extension direction of the second fluid path; anda sixth fluid path coupled between the second valve housing and an inletportion of the valve body along a same direction as the extensiondirection of the first fluid path.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of thepresent disclosure will be more clearly understood from the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a wall mountedwashing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which the door of FIG. 1 is opened.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the washing machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the washing machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the front panel of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the front panel shown in FIG.5;

FIG. 7 is a front view enlarging a state in which a water supply valveassembly is installed on the front panel of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the water supply valve assemblyshown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the valve body of the water supply valveassembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a rear view of the valve body of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the water supply valveassembly shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the single bracket shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a front view in which a first control valve is coupled to thesingle bracket shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view for explaining valve operations of awater supply valve assembly; and

FIG. 15 is a perspective view for explaining the inside of a washingmachine having a drying unit according to an exemplary application ofthe present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed in detail with reference to the drawings.

In addition, in the description of the present disclosure, the detaileddescription of known functions and configurations incorporated hereinwill be omitted if they would unnecessarily obscure the features of thesubject matter of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a wall mountedwashing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which the door of FIG. 1 is opened,FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the washing machine of FIG. 1, andFIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the washing machine of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a wall-mounted washing machine 10 accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cabinet 100having a front surface and a rear surface opened and forming an outerappearance, a door 200 disposed on one side of the cabinet 100 and foropening or closing the opened front surface of the cabinet 100, a cover300 connected to the door 200 for opening and closing the door 200, afront panel 400 disposed on the rear surface of the cover 300, adetergent container 500 housed in one side of the front panel 400 andaccommodating detergent and conditioner, a drum 600 in which laundry isstored, a tub 700 which surrounds the drum 600 and is filled with washwater, and a rear panel 800 mounted on the wall. Here, the rear surfacemeans a surface close to the wall, and the front surface means a surfaceopposite to the rear surface.

Specifically, the cabinet 100 may be provided in an empty form. Also,the cabinet 100 may include a power button 102 for controlling a powersupply, a cover connection unit 104 connected to the cover 300, and arear panel connection unit 106 connected to the rear panel 800.

The power button 102 may be provided on one side of the cabinet 100 tocontrol whether the washing machine 10 is turned on or off. The powerbutton 102 may be provided on one side of the front surface of thecabinet 100 to be easily controlled by the user. Here, in thisembodiment, the power button 102 is provided on the lower surface of thefront surface of the cabinet 100. However, the position of the powerbutton 102 is not limited thereto, and may be provided on the left orright of the front surface of the cabinet 100, for example.

The cabinet 100 may include a cover connection unit 104 connected to thecover 300. The cover connection unit 104 may correspond to an edge ofthe opened front surface of the cabinet 100 and may have a smallerdiameter than the diameter of the cover 300 so that the cover 300 doesnot detach from the cabinet 100. Specifically, the cover 300 may beinserted into the cabinet 100 from the rear surface to the front surfaceside. In this case, since the diameter of the cover connection unit 104is smaller than the diameter of the cover 300, the cover 300 may befitted into the cover connection unit 104, so that the cover 300 may notseparate from the cabinet 100.

The cabinet 100 may include a rear panel connecting unit 106 connectedto the rear panel 800. The rear panel connecting unit 106 may correspondto the opened rear edge of the cabinet 100 and may have a shape thatcorresponds to the shape of the rear panel 800. The cabinet 100 may bebolted to the rear panel 800 and for this purpose, a plurality of boltfastening holes may be formed in the rear panel connecting portion 106

Moreover, the door 200 may be provided on the front surface of thecabinet 100. The door 200 is provided for loading and unloading laundry,and may include a door inner frame 230 and a door outer frame 240.Specifically, the door inner frame 230 and the door outer frame 240 maybe bolted to have a predetermined space therebetween, and each may beprovided in a circular shape having a diameter corresponding to thecover connection unit 104. In this case, the door inner frame 230 may bein contact with the cover connection unit 104, and the door inner frame230 and the door outer frame 240 may completely shield the cover 300connected to the cabinet 100.

The door inner frame 230 and the door outer frame 240 may include a doorhinge connection unit 232 for connection with the cover 300. The doorhinge connecting unit 232 is provided at one side of the door innerframe 230 and the door outer frame 240 and may provide a space foraccommodating a door hinge 360 of the cover 300 (to be described later).

A display 202 may be provided in a space between the door inner frame230 and the door outer frame 240, for instance. The display 202 iscapable of outputting predetermined information to the user, and isprovided with a front surface exposed to the outside of the door outerframe 240. That is, the door outer frame 240 may include a hole (notshown) or may be formed of a transparent material so that the display202 may be exposed. In this case, the display 202 may be provided as atouch panel capable of inputting or outputting information, and the usermay confirm the information, such as the operating state through thedisplay 202, and also perform operations of the wall-mounted washingmachine 10 via touch operations. For example, the user may select aprocess such as laundry washing and rinsing by performing a touchoperation with respect to the display 202, and confirm the remainingwashing time or the like through the display 202.

The display 202 exposed to the exterior of the door outer frame 240 andthe door outer frame 240 may be protected through a protective glass204. The protective glass 204 is transparently provided on the frontsurface of the door outer frame 240 so that the display 202 is nothidden from the. In this case, the protective glass 204 may be providedto have the same diameter as the door inner frame 230 and the door outerframe 240.

A hole (not shown) may be provided on one side of the protective glass204, and the door opening button 210 may be exposed to the outsidethrough the hole (not shown). The door opening button 210 may beprovided in the door outer frame 240 for opening or closing the interiorof the cabinet 100 using an electronic opening and closing system andmay be exposed to the outside through a hole of the protective glass204.

In addition, the door 200 may include a door opening unit 250 and a doorhanging unit 260. The door opening unit 250 and the door hanging unit260 may protrude rearward from the door inner frame 230 and may be incontact with and engaged with one side of the cover 300. Specifically,the door opening unit 250 serves as an opening/closing assistant and mayhave an elastic force. For example, the door opening unit 250 mayinclude a spring which provides additional supporting force for openingthe door 200 through the elastic force of the spring. For example, whenthe door 200 is closed, the door opening unit 250 may be compressed andinserted into a groove (not shown) provided on one side of the cover300. When the user operates the door opening button 210 to open the door200, the door opening unit 250 is released from one side of the cover300, and is in contacted with the bottom surface of the groove (notshown) which is provided on one side of the cover 300 (in a relaxedstate). That is, a space is provided between the door 200 and the cover300 by the relaxed length of the door opening unit 250, therebypreventing the door 200 from automatically closing.

The door opening unit 250 may be a pusher stem assembly that may besupported by the spring and located within a guide structure formed inthe door inner frame 230 and repeatedly perform projecting by linearmovement through a predetermined stroke range.

The door hanging unit 260 may be provided at a predetermined distancefrom the door opening unit 250 and may be provided in the shape of ahook partially protruding from the door inner frame 230. The protrudingportion of the door hanging unit 260 may be coupled to a door lock unit330 (of the cover 300 to be described later), and thus the door 200 maybe closed.

In summary, the door 200 according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure may be opened through a door opening button 210. When theuser operates the door opening button 210, the door opening unit 250 andthe door hanging unit 260 are released from the cover 300 so that thedoor 200 may open the cover 300. In this case, the door opening unit250, having an elastic force, may be relaxed and provided on one side ofthe cover 300, and thus a predetermined gap is provided between the door200 and the cover 300. Therefore, the door 200 may be prevented fromclosing.

In addition, the user may close the door 200 by applying pressure to thedoor 200 toward the cover 300 side. To this end, the user may press oneside of the outermost protective glass 204 of the door 200 so that thedoor opening unit 250 may be compressed into the groove (not shown) ofthe cover 300 and the protruding portion of the door hanging unit 260may be coupled to the door hanging unit 330 of the cover 300. That is,the door 200 may be opened and closed without a separate handle.

A center side of the door inner frame 230 and the door outer frame 240may be opened and the door glass 280 may be provided at the openedcenter side. The door glass 280 allows visualization of the laundry fromthe inside to the outside of the washing machine 10 and may be fitted tothe door inner frame 230 and the door outer frame 240. In this case, thedoor glass 280 may be formed to protrude rearward, and the protrudedside of the door glass 280 may be fitted to the opened side of the cover300.

In addition, the door 200 may be rotatably connected to the cover 300.The cover 300 is provided to enclose the front panel 400 and may includea laundry inlet 302 for loading laundry, a detergent container loadingport 304 for loading a detergent container 500, and a power processingunit 306 for controlling the button 102.

The user may load laundry through the laundry inlet 302. The laundryinlet 302 may be provided with a predetermined diameter. In this case,the diameter of the laundry inlet 302 may correspond to the size of theprotruding portion of the door glass 280. Thus, when the door 200 isclosed, the door glass 280 may block the laundry inlet 302, and when theuser opens the door 200, the door glass 280 is released from the laundryinlet 302 to facilitate laundry loading through the laundry inlet 302.

A detergent container loading port 304, which may load the detergentcontainer 500, may be provided on the upper side of the laundry inlet302. In this case, the detergent container loading port 304 may beformed to correspond to the shape of the detergent container 500.

The cover 300 may have a laundry inlet 302 at its center and may have acircular shape as a whole. Further, the cover 300 may have a shape inwhich one side protrudes downward. In this case, the power processingunit 306 may be provided in a protruding portion downward. The powerprocessing unit 306 may be a PCB substrate connected to the power button102 to control whether the power is turned on or off according to theoperation of the power button 102 protruding from the outside of thecase 100.

Meanwhile, the cover 300 may include a door hanging unit 330 at aposition corresponding to the other door hanging unit 260. The doorhanging unit 330 is coupled to the hook-shaped door hanging unit 260 andmay be a groove corresponding to the shape of the door hanging unit 260.Thus, the door hanging unit 260 is coupled to the other door hangingunit 330, so that the door 200 may close the laundry inlet 302.

Also, the cover 300 may include a door hinge 360 at a locationcorresponding to the door hinge connection unit 232. The door hinge 360may be open while one side of the door 200 and one side of the cover 300may be connected to each other, and the one side of the door hinge 360may be received in the door hinge connection unit 232. Specifically, thedoor hinge 360 may be shaped like a long curved panel in a verticaldirection on one side of the laundry inlet 302, and may be partiallyprotruded forward such that the door 200 may be rotated and connected tothe door hinge connection unit 232. That is, the door 200 may berotatable along the protruding portion in front of the door hinge 360.

Meanwhile, a front panel 400 may be provided on the rear surface of thecover 300. The front panel 400 may be coupled to the tub 700 and mayinclude a shield unit 410 shielding a space between the drum 600 and thetub 700, a detergent container receiving unit 420 receiving thedetergent container 500, a detergent container gasket 430 to seal aportion coupled with the detergent container 500, a fitting 440 forsupplying water into the detergent container 500, a door gasket 450provided to seal at a portion in contacted with the door 200, and awater supply valve assembly 480 for receiving wash water from anexternal water supplying source.

The shield unit 410 may shield a space created between the drum 600 andthe tub 700 and may have a shape corresponding to the cover 300. Thatis, it may have the same diameter as the cover 300 and have an openingcorresponding to the laundry inlet 302 provided on the center sidethereof. In this connection, the opening of the shield unit 410 may beformed to be smaller than the diameter of the drum 600, so that thespace between the drum 600 and the tub 700 may be shielded.

The detergent container receiving unit 420 may be provided at one sideof the shield unit 410 to receive the detergent container 500. Thedetergent container receiving unit 420 may be provided in a shapecorresponding to the detergent container 500 and may communicate withthe detergent container loading port 304 of the cover 300. That is, thedetergent container 500 may be received in the detergent containerreceiving unit 420 via the detergent container loading port 304 of thecover 300.

The detergent container receiving unit 420 may include a detergentcontainer gasket 430 that is pressurized by the detergent container 500.The detergent container gasket 430 may be disposed around the end of thedetergent container receiving unit 420 to seal the detergent container500 and may be composed out of rubber material. That is, the detergents,the conditioners, and the wash water supplied to the detergent container500 are not allowed to leak to the outside through the detergentcontainer gasket 430.

At least one fitting 440 may be provided on the top of the detergentcontainer receiving unit 420. The fitting 440, which is connected to awater supply valve assembly 480 connected to an external water supplysource, may supply the wash water into the detergent container 500.Thus, the wash water supplied to the drum 600 and the tub 700 mayinclude the dissolved detergents or conditioners because the wash wateris supplied into the drum 600 and the tub 700 through the detergentcontainer 500.

Meanwhile, the opening of the shield unit 410 may include a door gasket450 which is pressed by a door glass 280 of the door 200. The doorgasket 450 may be disposed at the opening end of the shield unit 410(for example, at the annular end of the opening) to hermetically fix thedoor glass 280, and it may be provided as a rubber material or the like.Thus, when the door 200 is closed, the door glass 280 penetrating thelaundry inlet 302 of the cover 300 presses the door gasket 450, andthereby the wash water inside the drum 600 and the tub 700 may not leakoutside the door 200.

The fitting 440 may be supplied with wash water through a water supplyvalve assembly 480. The water supply valve assembly 480 may be connectedto an external water supply source and may selectively supply the washwater to the detergent container 550 through the fitting 440. The watersupply valve assembly 480 may be a three-way valve and two of the supplyflow paths extending from the water supply valve assembly 480 may beconnected to the fitting 440 connected to the detergent container 500and one of them may supply the wash water to the drum 600 directlythrough the door gasket 450.

The detergent container 500 may accommodate detergents and conditionersand may include a detergent container handle 502, a detergent inputspace 504 in which detergents are loaded, and a conditioner input space506 in which conditioner is loaded.

The detergent container handle 502 may protrude forward and may beexposed to the outside of the cover 300. The user thus may grasp thedetergent container handle 502 after opening the door 200, allowing thedetergent container 500 to be unloaded or inserted from the detergentcontainer receiving unit 420. In this embodiment, although the detergentcontainer handle 502 is extended in the vertical direction and providedat the center of the front surface of the detergent container 500, thedetergent container handle 502 is not limited thereto. For example, thedetergent container receiving unit 420 may be extended in the horizontaldirection and provided on the front surface of the detergent container500.

The detergent container 500 may be partitioned based on the center ofthe interior and include a detergent input space 504 and a conditionerinput space 506 which receive detergents and conditioners, respectively.In this connection, the fitting 440 may be arranged to be correspondedto the detergent input space 504 and the conditioner input space 506,and the detergents and conditioners (in the detergent input space 504and the conditioner input space 506) may be supplied with the washwater. Specifically, the user may draw the detergent container 500 fromthe detergent container receiving unit 420 after opening the door 200and may fill detergents and conditioners into the detergent input space504 and the conditioner input space 506, respectively. The detergentcontainer 500 filled with detergent and conditioner may be insertedagain into the detergent container receiving unit 420, and depending onthe washing process, the detergent input space 504 and the conditionerinput space 506 may be supplied with the wash water. Accordingly, thewash water including detergent or conditioner may be selectivelysupplied to the drum 600 and the tub 700.

The front panel 400 may be connected to the drum 600. The drum 600 forreceiving the laundry may include a drum inlet 610 on the front surfaceand a spider 680 on the rear surface. In this case, a plurality of holesfor fluid communication with the tub 700 may be formed around the drum600.

A drum inlet portion 610 may be provided to correspond to the openedportion of the shield unit 410. In this connection, the drum inletportion 610 may have a diameter smaller than the entire diameter of thedrum 600, and the drum inlet portion 610 may be fitted into the openedportion of the shield unit 410, so that front panel 400 and the drum 600may be connected to each other. Thus, laundry may be loaded into thedrum 600 via the laundry inlet 302 of the cover 300 and the openedportion of the front panel 400.

The drum 600 may be rotated through a spider 680. The spider 680 mayrotate in response to a driving force of a driving motor 910 to bedescribed later. The spider 680 may be provided separately from the drum600 and coupled to the rear surface of the drum 600. In this case, agroove corresponding to the shape of the spider 680 may be formed on therear surface of the drum 600 so that the spider 680 may be seated.

The spider 680 may include a plurality of arms extending in differentdirections with a constant gap at the center. For example, the spider680 may include an arm extending in three directions by a lengthcorresponding to the radius of the drum 600, and each arm may bedisposed at a 120-degree gap. Further, the center of the spider 680 maybe fixed to a second pulley 914 to be described later through a drumrotation axis 916 to be described later, and thus the drum 600 (coupledto the spider 680) and the spider 680 may rotate. A specific method ofrotating the drum 600 will be described later.

A tub 700 in which the wash water is filled may be provided outside thedrum 600. The tub 700 may have a shape corresponding to the drum 600 andmay be formed with a diameter larger than a diameter of the drum 600 bya predetermined length. Accordingly, the tub 700 may be separate fromthe drum 600 by a predetermined gap. In addition, the wash watersupplied into the tub 700 may flow into the drum 600 through a pluralityof holes formed around the drum 600. Similarly, the inner wash water ofthe drum 600 may flow into the tub 700 through the plurality of holesformed around the drum 600. In this regard, the drum 600 and the tub 700may be provided in a cylindrical shape, but are not limited thereto.

Further, the tub 700 may include a heater 702 to heat the wash water.Specifically, a groove may be formed on the inner side of the tub 700 toreceive the heater 702, and the heater 702 may be provided on the innerside of the tub 700 in a detachable manner. Thus, the heater 702 mayheat the wash water filled in the tub 700.

Meanwhile, the tub 700 may be integrally provided with a rear panel 800.The rear panel 800 may be mounted on the wall and may include an anchorconnection unit 802 to which an anchor for connection to the wall isconnected, a cabinet fixing unit 804 for fixing the cabinet 100, and asensor 806 for detecting the water level.

Specifically, the tub 700 and the rear panel 800 may be integrallyinjection molded, and the tub 700 may protrude from the front of therear panel 800. The rear surface of the rear panel 800 may be mounted onthe wall via a separate anchor. The anchor may be coupled to the wallthrough an anchor connection unit 802 and may be provided on the rearsurface of the rear panel 800 for stable engagement. That is, theplurality of anchors may mount the rear panel 800 on the wall. In thiscase, since the tub 700 and the rear panel 800 are integrally provided,a separate damper or an elastic member for supporting the tub 700 is notrequired. Advantageously, the number of parts may be reduced, and thesize of the washing machine 10 may be reduced.

The cabinet 100 may be coupled to the front surface of the rear panel800 where the tub 700 is provided to enclose the tub 700. In this case,a cabinet fixing unit 804 may be provided to have a stepped shape alongthe periphery of the rear panel 800, and the cabinet 100 may be fixed tothe cabinet fixing unit 804. For this purpose, a fastening member suchas a bolt may be used.

Also, the rear panel 800 may include a control unit 810 for controllingthe overall functions of the wall mounted washing machine 10 and a drainunit 820 for discharging the wash water filled in the tub 700.

The control unit 810 may be provided on the front surface of the rearpanel 800 to control various components of the wall mounted washingmachine 10 depending on the user's operation to perform laundry washing.In this embodiment, while the control unit 810 is shown on the rightside of the tub 700, the position of the control unit 810 is not limitedthereto.

A power supply line 904 may be connected to the external power source tosupply power to the electric equipment, the control unit 810, thedriving motor 910, and the like described above. The power supply line904 may extend through the rear panel 800 to the front of the rear panel800 and may extend outwardly from the rear of the rear panel 800. Inthis case, the power supply line 904 may be fixed to the rear surface ofthe rear panel 800 through a separate fixing means. Because the powersupply line 904 is provided extending outwardly from the rear surface ofthe rear panel 800, the appearance of the washing machine 10 may befinely finished.

The drain unit 820 may be provided under the rear panel 800. The drainunit 820 may discharge the wash water inside the tub 700 to the outsideand may be provided on the lower surface of the front surface of therear panel 800. In this case, the drain unit 820 may include a drainpump for pressurizing the wash water and may be connected to the drainhose 902 to discharge the wash water. Specifically, the drain hose 902is connected to the drain unit 820 and extends outward along the rearsurface of the rear panel 800, so that the wash water may flow throughthe pressure of the drain unit 820. Thus, when the drain unit 820 isoperated after the washing process is completed, the wash water may bedischarged to the outside of the cabinet 100 through the drain hose 902due to the pressure change of the drain unit 820.

The rear panel 800 may include a driving motor 910 for transmitting adriving force to the rear panel 800, a first pulley 912 and a secondpulley 914 connected to the driving motor 910, a drum rotational shaft916 connected to the second pulley 914 to rotate the drum 600, and abelt 918 that connects the first pulley 912 and the second pulley 914.

Specifically, the driving motor 910 may be provided on the front surfaceof the rear panel 800. The driving motor 910 may be controlled by thecontrol unit 810 and may be provided on one side of the control unit 810and the drain unit 820.

Also, the driving motor 910 may be connected to the first pulley 912. Inthis case, the shaft (not shown) of the driving motor 910 may beprovided through the rear panel 800 and may be connected with a shaft(not shown) of the driving motor 910 the first pulley 912 at the rearsurface of the rear panel 800.

The first pulley 912 may be connected to the second pulley 914 via abelt 918. The second pulley 914 may be provided to surround the drumrotation shaft 916 connected to the spider 680 and the drum rotationaxis 916 may penetrate the rear panel 800 while being connected to thespider 680. That is, the second pulley 914 and the drum rotation shaft916 may be connected to each other at the rear surface of the rear panel800.

In summary, when the wash water is filled in the tub 700 through thefitting 440, the control unit 810 may operate the driving motor 910.Subsequently, the first pulley 912 connected to the driving motor 910may be rotated, and the second pulley 914 may be then rotated by therotation of the first pulley 912. Thus, the drum rotation shaft 916connected to the second pulley 914 may also be rotated so that the drum600 may rotate inside the cabinet 100 and the tub 700. Consequently, thelaundry inside the drum 600 may be washed.

On the other hand, the rear panel 800 may further include an exhaustline 920. The exhaust line 920 may be connected to the drain unit 820and may exhaust air inside the tub 700 and the drain unit 820.Specifically, the exhaust line 920 may be connected to the drain hose902 and pass through the rear panel 800, through which it may extend tothe rear surface of the rear panel 800 and be exhausted outside.

The wall-mounted washing machine 10 according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure may be used as follows.

First, the user may open the door 200, and may load laundry inside thedrum 600 and unload the detergent container 500 from the front panel400. In this case, the detergent container 500 is divided in the center,so that a space for loading detergents and conditioners, respectively,may be provided.

After inserting the detergent container 500 loaded with the detergentsand conditioner back into the front panel 400, the user may close thedoor 200 and control the laundry operation via the power button 102 andthe display 202. When the washing operation is started, the wash waterprovided from an external water supplying source through the watersupply valve assembly 480 may be supplied to the detergent container 500through the fitting 440, and the wash water may be supplied into thedrum 600 and tub 700 after passing through the detergent input space 504and the conditioner input space 506. That is, the wash water filled inthe drum 600 and the tub 700 may optionally include detergent andconditioner.

When the tub 700 is fully filed with wash water, the control unit 810may drive the driving motor 910. In this case, the driving motor 910 maybe connected to the first pulley 912 and the second pulley 914, and thesecond pulley 914 may be connected to the drum 600 through the drumrotation shaft 916. Thus, the drum 600 may be rotated through thedriving motor 910. Consequently, the laundry loaded in the drum 600 maybe easily washed by the rotation of the drum 600.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the front panel of FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is anexploded perspective view of the front panel shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 7is a front view enlarging a state in which a water supply valve assemblyis installed on the front panel of FIG. 6. Further, FIG. 8 is a rearperspective view of the water supply valve assembly shown in FIG. 7,FIG. 9 is a front view of the valve body of the water supply valveassembly of FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 is a rear view of the valve body of FIG.9. In addition, FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the watersupply valve assembly shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. 12 is a perspective viewof the single bracket shown in FIG. 11. Also, FIG. 13 is a front view inwhich a first control valve is coupled to the single bracket shown inFIG. 12, and FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view for explaining valveoperations of a water supply valve assembly.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 14, the front panel 400 includes a fitting 440and a water supply valve assembly 480 as structural features to minimizeany potential water leaking points and a supply water line structuresupplied through the pipes 20, 21, 22, and 23

Referring to FIG. 5, the water inlet pipe 20 is connected to a waterinlet side of the water supply valve assembly 480.

The pipes 21, 22 and 23 for sending to a plurality of water use placesare connected at the water outlet side of the water supply valveassembly 480.

For example, the pipes 21, 22 and 23, which are coupled through thefitting 440, that is, the first fitting 441 or the second fitting 442,may be any one of a tube, a pipe, and a hose, for instance.

The pipes 21, 22 and 23 may be made of a flexible material or a flexibleplastic material capable of bending and/or other suitable deformation.

Further, the first pipe 21 interconnects a first water outlet unit 4871of a valve body 4880 of the water supply valve assembly 480 and thefirst fitting 441 of the detergent container receiving unit 420.

Further, the second pipe 22 interconnects a second water outlet unit4872 of the valve body 4880 and the second fitting 442 of the detergentcontainer receiving unit 420.

Further, the third pipe 23 interconnects a third water outlet unit 4873of the valve body 4880 and a water jet nozzle 4860 of the front panel400.

The water jet nozzle 4860 directly discharges the water toward theinside space of the drum 600 or the laundry inside the drum 600.

To this end, the water jet nozzle 4860 may be installed in a nozzlemounting hole arranged in the opening 460 (see FIG. 6) of the frontpanel 400 and the door gasket 450. In this case, the nozzle hole of thewater jet nozzle 4860 through which the water is discharged passesthrough the body of the door gasket 450 with respect to the insideposition of the opening 460 of the front panel 400, and is opened towardthe inner space of the drum 300.

In addition, the water supply valve assembly 480 is provided on thefront panel 400 to efficiently utilize the space for installing partsinside the washing machine.

To this end, the front panel 400 includes an extension 411 integrallyformed on the lower side of the front panel 400 to install the watersupply valve assembly 480.

The extension 411 is integrally formed on the left corner of the frontpanel 400 at the lower corner of the front panel 400.

For example, the extension 411 includes a base plate 412 extending fromthe side surface of the front panel 400 and a base wall 413 extendingalong the outer periphery of the base plate 412, as shown in FIG. 7.

Further, the extension 411 includes a plate reinforcing rib 414 thatconnects the base wall 413 to each other and protrudes from the baseplate 412.

Moreover, referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the extension 411 includes aplurality of supports 415 protruding from the extension 411 with respectto the base plate 412, the base wall 413 and the plate reinforcing rib414.

The extension 411 may be integrally formed with the base plate 412, thebase wall 413, the plate reinforcing ribs 414, and the support 415during injection molding of the front panel 400.

In addition, the bolt holes are formed in each end of the support 415 sothat the water supply valve assembly 480 may be detached in a boltedmanner. Herein, the bolt holes of the support 415 are formed at the endsof the support 415 toward the water supply valve assembly 480,respectively.

In addition, the support 415 of the extension 411 is spaced apart fromthe base plate 412 or the plate reinforcing ribs 414 such that the watersupply valve assembly 480 may be disposed in an oblique direction withrespect to the front surface of the front panel 400 in the extension411.

The water supply valve assembly 480 includes a supporting leg 4850fastened to each of the bolt holes of the support 415.

The supporting leg 4850 protrudes from the outer side of the valve body4880 of the water supply valve assembly 480 to cover the upper end ofthe support 415.

The number and arrangement of the supporting legs 4850 of the watersupply valve assembly 480 may be determined corresponding to the numberand arrangement of the supports 415.

In addition, the support 415 has a protruding height that allows thewater supply valve assembly 480 to be spaced from the base plate 412 orthe plate reinforcing rib 414.

The support 415 may include a support base 415 a integrally formed withthe base plate 412 or the plate reinforcing rib 414; and a supportextension 415 b having a small diameter relative to the support base 415a and thus a step difference, and protruding from the support base 415 atoward the water supply valve assembly 480. Herein, the bolt hole of thesupport 415 refers to a bolt hole formed at the end of the supportextension 415 b.

The mounting bolts of the water supply valve assembly 480 may passthrough the holes of the supporting legs 4850 of the water supply valveassembly 480 and then screwed into the bolt holes formed in the end ofthe support extension 415 b, which allows the valve assembly 480 to bedetachably secured to the support 415.

Thus, the fixed water supply valve assembly 480 is disposed along theupward slanting direction from the extension 411 with respect to thehorizontal direction of the front surface of the front panel 400. As aresult, it is possible to remove the inner surface and the interferenceof the cabinet 100, and the space for installing the parts inside thewashing machine may be utilized efficiently.

As described above, the front panel 400 includes the extension 411formed on the lower side of the extension 411 and a detergent containerreceiving unit 420 formed on the top relative to the extension 411 or onthe upper portion of the front panel 400 to receive the detergentcontainer 500,.

The detergent container 500 may be detachably coupled to the detergentcontainer receiving unit 420 via an insertion manner or a slidingmanner.

Herein, the front surface and the rear surface of the detergentcontainer receiving unit 420 are opened along the direction in which thedetergent container 500 is advanced or fastened.

In addition, the detergent container 500 includes a detergent inputspace 504 and a conditioner input space 506 divided with respect to thediagonal partition to accommodate detergent and conditioner.

The detergent container receiving unit 420 includes a first fittingmounting unit 421 protruding from one side of the upper surface of thedetergent container receiving unit 420 with respect to the positionwhere water supplied to the detergent input space 504.

Further, the detergent container receiving unit 420 includes a secondfitting mounting unit 422 protruding from the other side of the uppersurface of the detergent container receiving unit 420 with respect tothe position where the water is supplied to the conditioner input space506.

The first fitting mounting unit 421 and the second fitting mounting unit422 may support the first fitting 441 or the second fitting 442, fixingthem by friction, for instance, and preventing any leakage point fromoccurring inside the washing machine.

The first fitting mounting unit 421 and the second fitting mounting unit422 are provided with fitting holes 423 and 424 formed thereon.

The first fitting 441 or the second fitting 442 (corresponding to thefitting of the pipes 21 and 22 for supplying water) is coupled to thefitting holes 423 and 424.

The fitting holes 423 and 424 vertically extend from the center of eachof the first fitting mounting unit 421 and the second fitting mountingunit 422 to allow water to flow through the upper surface of thedetergent container receiving unit 420.

In addition, the first fitting 441 or the second fitting 442 may be anelbow type pipe member which is coupled between the end of the pipes 21and 22 and the fitting holes 423 and 424.

Each of the first fitting 441 and the second fitting 442 includes a pipefastening unit 443 coupled with each end of the pipes 21 and 22 and ahorizontal hollow portion 444 penetrating the pipe fastening unit, and avertical hollow portion 445 through-connected to the horizontal hollowportion 444 and inserted into the corresponding fitting holes 423 and424.

In this case, an O-ring mounting groove 446 is formed on the outerperipheral surface of the vertical hollow portion 445 of each fitting441 and 442.

Each of the fittings 441 and 442 includes an O-ring 447. The O-ring 447may be coupled to the O-ring mounting groove 446 to eliminate any gapbetween the inner peripheral surface of the fitting holes 423 and 424and the outer peripheral surface of the vertical hollow portion 445 ofeach fitting 441 and 442, so that water-tightness and fixing performancemay be improved.

Further, each of the fittings 441 and 442 has the same level as a bottomend of the vertical hollow portion 445 of each of the fittings 441 and442 and a bottom end of the fitting holes 423 and 424. Thus, when thedetergent container 500 is inserted into the detergent containerreceiving unit 420, the detergent container 500 and the fittings 441 and442 will not interfere with each other.

A fluid such as water or wash water from an external water supplyingsource may be introduced or fed into the water inlet pipe 20 and watersupply valve assembly 480 by the fluid pressure of the external watersupplying source.

The fluid may then flow through the various pipes 21, 22 and 23 at thewater outlet side of the water supply valve assembly 480 by fluidpressure.

Since the water supply valve assembly 480 is supported on the support415 and spaced apart from the extension 411, it is very easy to install,check the state of the installation, and maintain the water supply valveassembly 480.

Each of the control valves 4810 may be a plurality of solenoid valves orelectromagnetic valves electrically connected to the control unit 810 ofFIG. 4 and installed in the water supply valve assembly 480.

That is, each of the control valves 4810 may be installed on fluid pathsrequired for the supply or interruption of water in the fluid path inthe washing machine. For example, each of the control valves 4810 may beintegrated with the water supply valve assembly 480 with respect to thefluid path.

Referring to FIG. 15 according to an application example of the presentdisclosure, the wall mounted washing machine includes a rear panel 800mounted on a wall (not shown), a tub 700 supported by the rear panel 800and filled with the wash water, and a control unit (810) installedoutside the tub 700. Further, the wall mounted washing machine includesa front panel 400 provided with an opening 460 and installed in the tub700, and a drum 600 rotatably installed in the tub 700.

In particular, the wall mounted washing machine according to theapplication example of the present disclosure includes a drying unit 790installed outside the tub 700 and supplying air into the drum 600.

The drying unit 790 includes a drying duct 791 corresponding to an airpassage.

Here, the water supply valve assembly 480 is installed at the frontpanel 400 with respect to the inner lower space of the cabinet 100, andat least one of the tub 700, the drum 600 and the drying unit 790 mayselectively supply the water.

The water supply valve assembly 480 further includes a pipe coupler 4890connecting the water inlet side of the valve body 4880 and the waterinlet pipe 20 to flow the water.

Moreover, the pipe coupler 4890 may be connected to the water inletportion 4874 corresponding to the water inlet side of the valve body4880.

The water supply valve assembly 480 may be a three-way valve thatdischarges water or wash water from the water inlet 4874 through threewater outlet units.

In addition, the pipe coupler 4890 may be a quick coupling pipe memberfor precisely connecting tubes, pipes, hoses, and the like.

The pipe coupler 4890 includes a coupler fixing unit 4891 protrudingfrom the surface of the pipe coupler 4890 to be fixed to the extension411 of the lower side of the front panel 400 by a bolt. Herein, a boltfastening hole is formed in the coupler fixing unit 4891.

Thus, the pipe coupler 4890 and the water inlet pipe 20 connectedthereto may be securely mounted to the extension 411 of the front panel400 through the coupler fixing unit 4891.

Referring to FIG. 7, the control valve 4810 collectively includes afirst control valve 4811, a second control valve 4812, and a thirdcontrol valve 4813.

The first control valve 4811 is responsible for supplying or blockingwater to the detergent input space 504 of the detergent container 500.

The second control valve 4812 is responsible for supplying or blockingwater to the conditioner input space 506 of the detergent container 500.

The third control valve 4813 is responsible for supplying or blockingwater to/from the water jet nozzle 4860 installed at the opening 460 ofthe front panel 400 or for supplying or blocking water to/from thedrying duct 791 of the drying unit 790.

Referring to FIGS. 8 to 10, the water supply valve assembly 480 includesa valve body 4880.

The valve body 4880 is coupled and installed to the support 415 by abolt to be supported on the support 415 described above.

The role of the valve body 4880 serves to allow water supplied to thewater supply valve assembly 480 to be provided to the detergent inputspace 504 of the detergent container 500 or otherwise allow water to beprovided to the divided conditioner input space 506 from the detergentinput space 504 as shown in FIG. 7, or allow water to be provided to thewater jet nozzle 4860 installed at the opening 460 of the front panel400, or allow water to be provided to the drying duct 791 of the dryingunit 790 as shown in FIG. 15.

To this end, the valve body 4880 includes a plurality of fluid paths4881, 4883, 4885, 4887, 4888 and 4889 integrally formed for controllingwater supply or water flow, and a plurality of valve housings 4882, 4884and 4886 through-connected to the fluid paths 4881, 4883, 4885, 4887,4888 and 4889.

For example, the valve body 4880 of the water supply valve assembly 480includes a first fluid path 4881 connected to a first water outlet unit4871 of the first water outlet unit 4880, for a flow of water to besupplied to the detergent input space 504 of the detergent container500, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10.

Further, the valve body 4880 includes a first valve housing 4882connected to the first fluid path 4881 for the flow of water andinstalled with a first control valve 4811.

The fluid path of the valve body 4880 includes a second fluid path 4883connected to the second water outlet unit 4872 at one side of the valvebody 4880 for the flow of water to be supplied to the conditioner inputspace 506 of the detergent container 500.

Further, the valve body 4880 includes a second valve housing 4884connected to a second fluid path 4883 for the flow of water and mountedwith a second control valve 4812.

Further, the valve body 4880 includes a third fluid path 4885 connectedto a third water outlet unit 4873 on the other side of the valve body4880 for the flow of water.

Further, the valve body 4880 includes a third valve housing 4886connected to a third fluid path 4885 for the flow of water and mountedwith the third control valve 4813.

Further, the valve body 4880 includes a fourth fluid path 4887 connectedbetween the first valve housing 4882 and the second valve housing 4884along the extension direction of the first fluid path 4881.

Further, the valve body 4880 includes a fifth fluid path 4888 connectedbetween the second valve housing 4884 and the third valve housing 4886along the extension direction of the second fluid path 4883.

Further, the valve body 4880 includes a sixth fluid path 4889 connectedbetween the second valve housing 4884 and the water inlet portion 4874of the valve body 4880 along the same direction as the extendingdirection of the first fluid path 4881.

The side portions of the respective valve housings 4882, 4884 and 4886may be formed with flow path passage holes (not shown) forinterconnecting the corresponding valve housings 4882, 4884 and 4886 andfluid paths 4881, 4883, 4885, 4887, 4888 and 4889.

In addition, the valve housings 4882, 4884 and 4886 are arranged in avertical or a horizontal direction with respect to the front surface ofthe valve body 4880. For example, in order to arrange the valve housing4882, 4884 and 4886, the valve body 4880 extends in a horizontaldirection with a portion of valve body 4880 with respect to the frontsurface of valve body 4880, and the other portion of the valve body 4880may extend in a vertical direction from an end of a part of the valvebody 4880.

Referring to FIG. 11, the control valve 4810 includes a valve unit 4814inserted into the opening region of any one of the valve housings 4882,4884, and 4886 each corresponding to the first control valve 4811, thesecond control valve 4812, and the third control valve 4813.

Further, the control valve 4810 has a coil unit (not shown) to operate avalve unit 4814 each corresponding to each of the first control valve4811, the second control valve 4812 and the third control valve 4813(for example, valve opening or valve closing), and a terminal unit 4815for applying a power or a signal to the coil unit.

The terminal unit 4815 is connected to the control unit 810 of FIG. 4through a connector and an electric wire.

In addition, the control valve 4810 includes a plurality of brackets4830 and 4840 coupled to walls 4870 and 4876 of the valve housing 4882,4884 and 4886 corresponding to the outer periphery of the opening areato close the opening areas of the valve housings 4882, 4884 and 4876.

The valve body 4880 includes a bolt coupling unit 4875 formed on thewall 4870 and 4876 of any one of the first valve housing 4882, thesecond valve housing 4884 and the third valve housing 4886 so as to becoupled to the bolts of the brackets 4830 and 4840,

Referring concurrently to FIG. 9 or FIG. 11, the valve body 4880includes a connecting rib 4877 formed between a wall 4870 of any one ofthe first valve housing 4882, the second valve housing 4884 and thethird valve housing 4886 and a wall 4876 of the other one.

Thus, the valve body 4880 may be a rigid structure that minimizesstructural deformation by the walls 4870 and 4876 and the connecting rib4877.

The control valve 4810 is mounted to the brackets 4830 and 4840 in asingle-mount or double-mount manner. That is, the brackets 4830 and 4840include a bracket 4830 of a single mounting type in which the controlvalve 4810 is mounted in a single number, and the bracket 4840 of adouble mounting type in which a control valve 4810 is mounted in aplurality of members (for example, two).

For example, the first control valve 4811 is mounted on the bracket 4830of the single mounting type.

In addition, the second control valve 4812 and the third control valve4813 are mounted on the bracket 4840 of the double mounting type.

To facilitate the description, the description will be made of the firstcontrol valve 4811 and the brackets 4830 and 4840 with respect to thebracket 4830 of the single mounting type.

For example, the bracket 4830 shown in FIG. 12 has an extension plate4831 having an extension length corresponding to the height of the coilunit of the first control valve 4811 shown in FIG. 11.

Further, the bracket 4830 has a bracket plate 4832 bent at one end ofthe extension plate 4831 so as to be perpendicular to the extensionplate 4831, and having a plurality of holes coinciding with a bolt holeof the bolt coupling unit 4875 and a center groove coinciding with thevalve shaft of the first control valve 4811.

The bracket 4830 also includes a circular support plate 4833 bent at theother end of the extension plate 4831 so as to be parallel to thebracket plate 4832 and having a relatively small area as compared withthe bracket plate 4832.

In this case, the support plate 4833 includes a plurality of seatinggrooves 4834 formed at an edge of the support plate 4883 and spacedapart along the edge to seat an elastic protrusion 4816 of the terminalunit 4815 provided in the first control valve 4811.

As shown in FIG. 13, the user may rotate the first control valve 4811and the terminal unit 4815 from the bracket 4830 (as denoted by “R”).According to this rotation R, the elastic protrusion 4816 of theterminal unit 4815 may be seated in the seating groove 4834 at anotherposition in the existing position. That is, since the direction of thecontact metal end of the terminal unit 4815 may be changed, in order tointerconnect the connector 811 at the end of the wire from theabove-mentioned control unit 810 and the metal contact of the terminalunit 4815 as mentioned above, the approach direction of the connector811 may be changed in compliance with the user's request (e. g.rotation). As a result, the production or maintenance performance of thewashing machine may be increased.

Hereinafter, a method of operating the water supply valve assembly 480will be described.

Referring to FIG. 14, the control unit 810 of FIG. 4 may allow waterintroduced through the pipe coupler 4890 (as denoted by W/I (Water In))to flow out toward each destination (as denoted by W/O (Water Out)) byselectively opening or closing a valve unit or at least one valve unitof the first control valve 4811, the second control valve 4812 and thethird control valve 4813.

The control unit 810 controls the operations of the first control valve4811, the second control valve 4812 and the third control valve 4813 toselectively perform a water supply operation each corresponding to apredetermined water supply process, a water directing process, a washingprocess, a rinsing process and a drying process.

In response to the operations of the first control valve 4811, thesecond control valve 4812 and the third control valve 4813, water (W/I)may flow out (W/O) toward the pipes 21, 22 and 23 of the correspondingwater outlet unit 4871, 4872 and 473.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view for describing the inside of a washingmachine having a drying unit according to an exemplary application ofthe present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 15, an exemplary application of the present disclosuremay change a water supply destination using the water supply valveassembly 480.

For example, the water supply valve assembly 480 includes a branch pipe30 for receiving water exiting from the valve body 4880, and dividingand discharging the flow of water into a plurality of portions.

The branch pipe 30 is opened in three directions interconnected with oneanother and includes an inlet 31, a first outlet 32 and a second outlet33 formed at a lower portion or an upper portion of the branch pipe 30,wherein the inlet 31 receives water from the water supply valve assembly480. Further, the first outlet 32 is formed in the branch pipe 30 withrespect to one side of the opposite side of the inlet 31, and the secondoutlet 33 is formed in the branch pipe 30 with respect to the other sideof the opposite side of the inlet 31.

According to the exemplary application of the present disclosure, thevarious pipes 21, 22 and 23 described in this embodiment, or the variousconnection pipes 41, 42, 43, 44 and 45 to be described below may havedifferent colors so as to distinguish the paths of water.

Moreover, the pipes 21, 22 and 23 and the connection pipes 41, 42, 43,44 and 45 include a name tag provided on the outside thereof, therebyimproving the accuracy of component assembly.

According to the application example of the present disclosure, thewater supply valve assembly 480 includes a first connection pipe 41 forinterconnecting the first water outlet unit 4871 of the valve body 4880and the inlet 31 of the branch pipe 30.

Further, the water supply valve assembly 480 includes a secondconnection pipe 42 for interconnecting the first outlet 32 of the branchpipe 30 and the first fitting 441 of the detergent container receivingunit 420.

Further, the water supply valve assembly 480 includes a third connectionpipe 43 for interconnecting the second outlet 33 of the branch pipe 30and the water jet nozzle 4860 of the front panel 400.

The water delivered through the first connection pipe 41 to the watersupply valve assembly 480 may be branched at the branch pipe 30 so thatsimultaneous water supply may be performed at the first fitting 441 andthe water jet nozzle 4860.

In addition, the water supply valve assembly 480 may include a fourthconnection 420 for interconnecting the second water outlet unit 4872 ofthe valve body 4880 and the second fitting 442 of the detergentcontainer receiving unit 420, Consequently, an individual water supplymay be made for the conditioner input space of the detergent container500 through the second fitting 442.

Further, the water supply valve assembly 480 includes a fifth connectionpipe 45 for interconnecting the third water outlet unit 4873 of thevalve body 4880 and the water supply nozzle 792 of the drying duct 791of the drying unit 790.

Accordingly, the individual water supply to the internal space of thedrying duct 791 may be performed through the water supply nozzle 792.

The water flowing into the interior space of the drying duct 791 meetsthe internal flow air of the drying duct 791 of the drying unit 790. Atthat time, the inside air of the drying duct 791 and the inflow waterare mutually heat exchanged.

The humidity of the air inside the drying duct (791) becomes condensedwater through heat exchange. Thereafter, the condensed water moves alongthe surface of the drying duct 791, and then is discharged to theoutside through the drain portion of the drying duct 791. On the otherhand, the internal dry air of the drying duct 791 with moisture removedmay be supplied to the inside of the drum 600, and thus the laundryinside the drum 600 may be efficiently dried.

The wall-mounted washing machine and the water supply valve assemblythereof according to the embodiments of the present disclosure areadvantageous in that a connection may easily and precisely be madebetween the pipe (which is a supply flow path) and a fitting.

Further, there is an advantage that space between a cabinetcorresponding to an external article of the washing machine and aninternal article of the washing machine may be efficiently used.

Further, there is an advantage that functions of the washing machine(for example, a drying function, a function of spraying water directlyto laundry, etc.) may be easily added or extended.

In addition, there is an advantage that due to increased functionalityof the washing machine, required pipe and fitting installation may beperformed very easily.

The above description is merely illustrative of the technical idea ofthe present disclosure and various changes and modifications may be madewithout departing from the essential characteristics of the presentdisclosure. Therefore, the embodiments described in the presentdisclosure are not intended to limit the scope of the presentdisclosure, but are intended to illustrate and not limit the scope ofthe present disclosure. The scope of protection of the presentdisclosure should be construed according to the following claims, andall technical ideas which are equivalent or equivalent thereto should beinterpreted as being included in the scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wall mounted washing machine, the washingmachine comprising: a rear panel operable to be mounted on a verticalsurface; a tub supported on the rear panel, wherein the tub is operableto be filled with wash water; a front panel having an opening formedtherein and disposed in the tub; a drum rotatably installed in the tub;a cover disposed on the front panel and operable to protect a frontsurface of the front panel; a door coupled to the cover and operable toopen and close a laundry inlet of the cover; and a water supply valveassembly coupled to the front panel, the water supply valve assemblycomprising a three-way valve in which fluid is discharged through athree-way water outlet.
 2. The wall mounted washing machine of claim 1,wherein the front panel comprises an extension integrally formed on alower side of the front panel for installing the water supply valveassembly.
 3. The wall mounted washing machine of claim 2, wherein thewater supply valve assembly is disposed along an upward slantingdirection from the extension with respect to a horizontal direction ofthe front surface of the front panel.
 4. The wall mounted washingmachine of claim 3, wherein the extension comprises: a base plateextending from a side surface of the front panel; a base wall extendingalong an outer periphery of the base plate; and plate reinforcing ribsconnecting to the base wall and protruding from the base plate.
 5. Thewall mounted washing machine of claim 4, wherein the extension furthercomprises a plurality of supports protruding from the extension withrespect to the base plate, the base wall and the plate reinforcementrib.
 6. The wall mounted washing machine of claim 5, wherein theextension comprises a bolt hole formed at an end of each of theplurality of supports.
 7. The wall mounted washing machine of claim 6,wherein the water supply valve assembly is supported on the plurality ofsupports and is spaced apart from the extension.
 8. A wall mountedwashing machine comprising: a rear panel operable to be mounted on awall; a tub supported on the rear panel, the tub operable to be filledwith wash water; a front panel having an opening formed therein anddisposed in the tub; a drum rotatably installed in the tub; a coverdisposed on the front panel and operable to protect a front surface ofthe front panel; a door rotatably coupled to the cover and operable toopen and close a laundry inlet of the cover; and a water supply valveassembly installed on an extension integrally formed on a lower side ofthe front panel, the water supply valve assembly comprising a three-wayvalve for selectively supplying and blocking a flow of wash water. 9.The wall mounted washing machine of claim 8, wherein the water supplyvalve assembly comprises: a valve body comprising a plurality of fluidpaths to control a supply of water and a plurality of valve housingsconnected through the plurality of fluid paths; a plurality of controlvalves, each control valve comprising a valve unit inserted into an openregion of each of the plurality of valve housings, a coil unit foroperating the valve unit, and a terminal unit for applying a powersignal to the coil unit; and a plurality of brackets, wherein eachbracket is coupled to a wall of a respective valve housing correspondingto an outer periphery of an open area to close the open area of therespective valve housing, and wherein the control valve is mounted onthe bracket.
 10. The wall mounted washing machine of claim 9, whereinthe extension comprises: a plurality of supports protruding from theextension toward the water supply valve assembly; and a plurality ofsupporting legs protruding from an outer surface of the valve body ofthe water supply valve assembly to cover an upper end of a support. 11.A water supply valve assembly for use in a wall mounted washing machinecomprising a tub for storing washing water, and a front panel providedon the tub and having a detergent container receiving unit, wherein thewater supply valve assembly is mounted on a lower side of the frontpanel and comprising a three-way valve for selectively supplying andblocking a flow of washing water.
 12. The water supply valve assembly ofclaim 11, wherein the front panel comprises an extension integrallyformed on a lower side of the front panel for installing the watersupply valve assembly and wherein the water supply valve assemblycomprises: a valve body installed in the extension and having aplurality of fluid paths and a plurality of valve housings; controlvalves, each control valve being installed in each of the plurality ofvalve housings; and a plurality of brackets, each bracket being coupledto a wall of each of the plurality of valve housings.
 13. The watersupply valve assembly of claim 12, wherein the plurality of valvehousings of the valve body are disposed along a vertical direction or ahorizontal direction with respect to a front surface of the valve body.14. The water supply valve assembly of claim 12, wherein the controlvalves comprise: a first control valve for selectively supplying andblocking flow of water to the detergent input space of the detergentcontainer; a second control valve for selectively supplying and blockingflow of water to a conditioner input space of the detergent container;and a third control valve for selectively supplying and blocking flow ofwater to/from a water jet nozzle installed at an opening of the frontpanel, or selectively supplying and blocking flow of water to a dryingduct of a drying unit.
 15. The water supply valve assembly of claim 14,wherein the valve body of the water supply valve assembly comprises: afirst fluid path coupled to a first water outlet of the valve body forwater flow to be supplied to the detergent input space of the detergentcontainer; a second fluid path coupled to a second water outlet on oneside of the valve body water flow to be supplied to the conditionerinput space of the detergent container; and a third fluid path coupledto a third water outlet of another side of the valve body.
 16. The watersupply valve assembly of claim 15, wherein the valve body of the watersupply valve assembly comprises: a first valve housing coupled to thefirst fluid path and having the first control valve installed therein; asecond valve housing coupled to the second fluid path and having thesecond control valve installed therein; and a third valve housingcoupled to the third fluid path and having the third control valveinstalled therein.
 17. The water supply valve assembly of claim 16,wherein the valve body of the water supply valve assembly comprises: afourth fluid path coupled between the first valve housing and the secondvalve housing along an extension direction of the first fluid path; afifth fluid path coupled between the second valve housing and the thirdvalve housing along an extension direction of the second fluid path; anda sixth fluid path coupled between the second valve housing and an inletportion of the valve body along a same direction as the extensiondirection of the first fluid path.
 18. The water supply valve assemblyof claim 17, wherein the valve body comprises a bolt coupling unitformed in a wall of any one of the first valve housing, the second valvehousing and the third valve housing and operable to be coupled to a boltof the bracket.
 19. The water supply valve assembly of claim 18, whereinthe valve body comprises a connecting rib formed between a wall of oneof the first valve housing, the second valve housing and the third valvehousing and the other wall.
 20. The water supply valve assembly of claim19, wherein each of the brackets comprises: an extension plate having anextension length corresponding to the height of the coil unit of thecontrol valve; a bracket plate bent at one end of the extension plate toface a direction perpendicular to the extension plate and comprising: aplurality of holes coinciding with the bolt holes of the bolt couplingunit; and a center groove coinciding with a valve shaft of the controlvalve; and a circular support plate bent at the other end of theextension plate to be parallel with the bracket plate and having asmaller area as compared with the bracket plate.